Inspirational young volunteer wins national award for his dedication to helping people with dementia

Kian Borg-Jackson won the Young Person's Contribution of the Year prize at the national Dementia Friendly Awards. He is pictured with Alzheimer's Society chief executive Jeremy Hughes, television personality and Alzheimer's Society ambassador Richard McCourt and Alzheimer's Society ambassador Angela Rippon

A young volunteer from North Lincolnshire has won a national award for his determination and dedication to helping people living with dementia.

Kian Borg-Jackson, 15, was honoured in the Young Person's Contribution of the Year category at the Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Friendly Awards, held in London last night.

Kian, who attends South Axholme Academy in Epworth, was recognised at the ceremony as an inspiring individual who has demonstrated a positive impact on the lives of those living with dementia through his determination and dedication.

He chose to raise awareness of dementia across North Lincolnshire after being elected as the region's young mayor, aged 13.

He became a Dementia Friend, an initiative of the Alzheimer's Society where people learn more about dementia and the small ways they can help those living with it, after hearing about a friend's grandma with the condition.

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Kian approached the Alzheimer's Society to help him deliver Dementia Friends sessions to his student peers and other young people and since then, his determination and commitment to making a difference has resulted in 180 Dementia Friends being created so far at his school.

Kian was presented with the award at last night's ceremony, which was hosted by Alzheimer's Society ambassador Angela Rippon.

It came a week after he was named runner-up in the Young Volunteer of the Year category at the North Lincolnshire Community Champion Awards at The Baths Hall in Scunthorpe.

Kian Borg-Jackson, pictured at the North Lincolnshire Community Champion Awards at The Baths Hall in Scunthorpe

Kian, from Luddington, said: "One of the key areas I have worked in is my school and I am currently working on making every single one of the students and staff a Dementia Friend, which is around 1,000 people.

"In school, I have heard really emotional stories from people about their parents and grandparents being affected by dementia.

"Dementia Friends is a really great initiative which is all about raising awareness of dementia and just helping people that are living with dementia feel more supported by their communities and that’s why I feel it is key that the younger generation become Dementia Friends because as that generation grows up, they can support people with dementia.

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"It’s so nice to be honoured for the work I have done. I am just astonished and didn’t expect to receive anything."

Rosemary Campbell-Blair, a volunteer officer for the Alzheimer's Society who nominated Kian for the award, said: "It is amazing that Kian has won the Young Person's Contribution award and it is a testament to his tremendous dementia friendly work with his peers in his school.

"The level of nominations received this year was truly phenomenal and there were some exceptional stories heard at the awards ceremony.

"All the finalists and winners at the Dementia Friendly Awards have demonstrated how we can unite against dementia and support those affected by the condition."